Countryfile host's new show offers chance to win 15-year National Trust tenancy

Would-be tenant farmers are being encouraged to sign-up for the second series of Channel 4's Our Dream Farm with Matt Baker

Presented by the BBC Countryfile host, the eight-part run will be filmed in Eryri (Snowdonia) and will see seven applicants (individuals, couples or partnerships) battle it out for a chance to be selected as the new tenant for the vacant Llyndy Isaf Farm, a National Trust property based in the area.

Extending from Llyn Dinas to the summit of Moel Dyniewyd, the 248.40 hectare (613.80 acre) farm  includes a four bedroom farmhouse (currently being refurbished), two bedroom annex with potential for holiday letting, two bothies with potential for holiday lets, together with a range of traditional and modern farm buildings.

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The applicants will be assessed on their business plans and their abilities and approaches to agricultural, environmental farming and renovation by completing a series of real-world tasks/experiences, with the successful applicant invited to take on a 15-year tenancy of the farm.

According to programme makers Big Circus Media, of which Mr Baker is a co-founder and current creative director, in each episode the potential tenants will take on one or more tasks before the assessors, who will be representatives of the National Trust, will then decide who will progress to the next stage.

Many of the tasks involve processes that help to improve the land or buildings on the available farm. Some will take place on other farms which may be in the local area.

Privilege

Trystan Edwards, general manager for Eryri, National Trust Cymru said: "It is a privilege to have a farm in Wales selected for this programme. Llyndy is an incredible landscape, from the shores of Llyn Dinas to the heather clad ridge of Mynydd Llyndy, it holds a special place for nature, people and history.

"Farming has played a defining role here for generations, and over the past 12 years, scholars and farmers have managed it as a sustainable working hill farm. It boasts a range of rich habitats including heath, wet pasture, grassland and woodland, with its heathland being one of our best examples of species-rich heath in Wales and the woodlands forming a part of the Meirionnydd oak woods and bat Special Area of Conservation."

Mr Edwards said the Trust is looking for a tenant with a passion for sustainable farming to continue the legacy.

"Our ideal tenant would be someone who can see how to run a successful, viable and profitable business but in doing so deliver for the environment by combining sensitive land management and conservation principles with agriculture.

"The successful tenant will take a nature-friendly farming approach to grazing the land, producing good quality food as well as good wildlife habitats. They will increase biodiversity across the farm by extending wood pasture through natural processes, maintain current key habitats, enhancing the heath mosaic, and control invasive species."

Episode one of series one of Our Dream Farm with Matt Baker begins at 8pm on Saturday April 6. Applications for series two close on April 14. For further details, head to farmapplication.co.uk